Freedom Friday – Restoring Internet Freedom – July 28

July 28, 2017

Problem:

• In 2015, in one of many examples of executive over regulation, the Obama Administration’s inserted government interference into an otherwise free and open internet.

• The Federal Communications Commission’s Open Internet Order rule, also known as net neutrality, forces Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to either pull out of high internet traffic areas or spend money to upgrade equipment to maintain the high volume. This will ultimately raise prices for all internet consumers and stifle the success of smaller ISPs.

“The economic burden of these regulations will fall squarely on the backs of the consumers the FCC purports to help. The threat of anti-competitive behavior should always be taken seriously. But it makes no sense for a five-person panel of presidential appointees to write a sweeping law aimed at solving a problem that might someday exist. There are more effective, more democratic, and less intrusive ways to address anti-competitive behavior, including existing antitrust and consumer-protection laws.”– Senator Mike Lee

“The free flow of information – and the innovation and knowledge that stems from it – is best served when it is not controlled or regulated by the heavy hand of government. The term ‘net neutrality’ is completely misleading in that those arguing for it are actually calling for the government to regulate and restrict the free and open flow of information on the internet. In our free society, Americans deserve unfettered access to the information that is out there, not burdensome and costly government interference.”– Chairwoman Marsha Blackburn, Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology

“The FCC’s net neutrality rules are the opposite of what American consumers want and need online and there is little evidence of the harms these regulations claim to prevent. If the FCC rule is left intact, it will prevent you from getting free stuff like sponsored data from your wireless provider. Just think, if you like unlimited HBO with your AT&T plan or unlimited music streaming from T-Mobile, then you should demand that these net neutrality regulations be eliminated.” – Ryan Radia, Research Fellow and Regulatory Counsel, Competitive Enterprise Institute